Google puts Android’s stock e-mail app in the Play Store

Update: Compatibility is limited (and maybe a little buggy) but give it a try.

As part of Google's quest to never, ever have to do an Android system update again, the company has parted out yet another stock Android app to the Play Store. This time it's Google's Email app, which used to be tied to your version of Android but is now free for anyone to download—provided you're running version 4.0 and above. Google's Email app looks and works just like Gmail, with a navigation drawer and swipe-to-delete.

Further Reading

Versions don't matter, because Google now controls the platform behind the platform.

Email is one of the Android Open Source Project apps that OEMs commonly skin (and occasionally ruin). Just as Google offers its keyboard, calendar, and camera on the Play Store, if users prefer Google's Email, it's now just a download away. The only apps not in the Play Store now are Calculator, Clock, Phone, and People.

The version of Email on the Play Store is actually newer than what came packed with Android 4.4.3. The changelog lists "increased security for Gmail accounts," "easier account setup flow," "printing," and "other bug fixes." We really have no idea why anyone would want to use the Email app with Gmail instead of the native Gmail app, but more security is never a bad thing.

For stock Android devices, the updated app is rolling out to devices right now, so check the Play Store over the next few days for updates. If you're on a skinned phone and want to try out Google's Email app, try the play store.

Update: We thought this would be going out to most phones, but users are reporting that compatibility is pretty limited at the moment. The app is still rolling out, but for now it looks to be incompatible with skinned phones, the Nexus 4, and even some users of the Nexus 5 are reporting it as uninstallable. Other than excluding the Google Play Editions of the HTC One M7 and Galaxy S4, the description doesn't have any compatibility info. Android Police has a direct download if the Play Store isn't working for you.

Ron Amadeo / Ron is the Reviews Editor at Ars Technica, where he specializes in Android OS and Google products. He is always on the hunt for a new gadget and loves to rip things apart to see how they work.